Citizens Advice and Google launch campaign on internet safety

IT | Kirsty Weakley | 28 Oct 2011

Citizens Advice has partnered with Google to launch a Good To Know campaign to raise awareness of internet safety.

A series of adverts are now running in newspapers, online and in public places providing advice about online security, data sharing and tools that people can use to protect themselves. The ads also direct people to a website with more information.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Citizens Advice is all about straightforward, simple advice on the issues that matter, so helping people take control of their safety and privacy online is right up our street.”

The advertising campaign was completely funded by Google and is the first time that the company has promoted something other than one of its own products.

It was a project that Google had been thinking about doing for a while and approached Citizen's Advice to collaborate on the campaign.

It is an ongoing campaign and the two organisations are now looking at ways to attract the attention of MPs, including arranging an event at the Houses of Parliament.

The campaign’s top five tips are:

Pick a strong password using a combination of numbers and letter
Always ignore suspicious emails
Look for ‘https’ and a padlock symbol to check a website is secure
Always sign out of accounts and shut down your browser
Use two-step verification on accounts that offer it (this is an added level of security that requires you to have access to your phone to sign in)

Directory: Citizens Advice
Who's Who: Gillian Guy

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